'People went for me as I’d become very powerful'

Sourav Ganguly turned 40 today. On the eve of his birthday he spoke to the Kolkata-based Telegraph on the past, the future and everything in between.

I’d like you to be honest... Don’t you regret having quit international cricket as far back as November 2008?
I do regret my decision sometimes, that I should not have acted in anger. But I did and... That bit is done and dusted... Yes, I could have played for another two years.

Why did you get angry?
I didn’t have one good series (in Sri Lanka) and, when the Irani Trophy squad was announced, my name was missing... I’d stopped enjoying my game because I was thinking about things not related to my game, to my cricket. I could have probably just said ‘Let them do what they want’ and wait for my time.